Lillian Witmer Papers, 1884-1993

Collection Overview

Abstract

Scope and Contents of the Materials

Administrative Information

Box and Folder Listing

Box 1

Folder 1: Graduation from Larimore High School, Commencement programs (8th grade 1916 and high school 1919), graduation speech

Folder 2: Brief history of organizations and happenings at UND while Lillian attended

Folder 3: Public speaking oration "True Culture" by Lillian Leith

Folder 4: Commencement programs, 1921 and 1926

Folder 5: Lillian's graduation from UND - commencement program, class list, invitations, 1923

Folder 6: Commencement, Founder's Day, and other addresses, 1946-1958

Folder 7: Mortar Board members list, 1922-1965

Folder 8: Grand Forks Herald - copy of first page of first issue, June 26, 1897

Folder 9: Alpha Phi, 1921-1966

Folder 10: Alpha Phi, miscellaneous thoughts and programs

Folder 11: Alpha Phi Plaque

Folder 12: Pi Plant, 1924-1933

Folder 13: Pi Plant, 1935-1952

Folder 14: Miscellaneous programs of events attended by Lillian, 1921-1922

Folder 15: "Kane for President", 1932

Folder 16: Grand Forks Public Library Board information, 1947-1948, 1960

Folder 17: Newspaper clipping - R.B. Witmer (Arts College Dean), July 1949

Folder 18: Miscellaneous correspondence

Folder 19: Cora E. Smith - Smith Hall Dedication by Lillian Witmer, May 1964

Folder 20: Tributes: Raymond R. Hitchcock, William G. Bek, Mrs. O. H. Bridston, Mrs. Orin Grant Libby, Donald H. Miller, Mrs. Howard Edwin Simpson, George Abbott, Hazel Hauk, Dr. Frederick Brooks, Mrs. Maxwell Brown, Margaret Starcher

Folder 21: Lillian Leith Witmer "A Career of Service", May 1973

Folder 22: North Dakota Dames Club History and constitutions, 1933-1974

Folder 23: 75th anniversary of North Dakota Dames Club, November 1984

Folder 24: "Ellen Terry and Bernard Shaw: A Correspondence" Dames Club, May 1933

Folder 25: "The Life of Sir William Osler" Dames Club, 1934

Folder 26: "Modern Trends in Medicine" Dames Club, October 1937

Folder 27: "Consumers' Forum" and "Consumers Cooperatives: How to Budget" Dames Club, 1936-1938

Folder 28: "Hallmarks of Silver" Dames Club

Folder 29: "The Story of Allergies" Dames Club, February 1945

Folder 30: "The Split Atom as a Healing Force" Dames Club, March 1947

Folder 31: "Our Public Library" Dames Club, October 1948

Folder 32: "New Horizons in Government" Dames Club, November 1952

Folder 33: "Scottish Kilts" Dames Club, October 1954

Folder 34: "Trends in Education" Dames Club, March 1958

Folder 35: "Comparative Religions" Dames Club, February 1959

Folder 36: "Understanding Old Age" Dames Club, February 1961

Folder 37: "Political Prairie Fire" Dames Club, February 1961

Folder 38: "Dr. Fred G. Lundy" Dames Club, 1962

Folder 39: Dr. G.A. Henry's "Letters to Virginia" Dames Club, March 1960

Folder 40: "Hope" Dames Club, January 1964

Folder 41: "Wedgewood" Dames Club, April 1966

Folder 42: "Fans" History, style, etc., Dames Club, February 1968 and P.E.O., April 1979

Folder 43: Fans resource materials

Folder 44: "Dr. James Grassick" Dames Club, 1971 and P.E.O., April 1979

Folder 45: Li Ling Ai and her book "Life is for a Long Time" Reviewed for Dames Club, September 1973

Box 2

Folder 1: "An Early Bow to the Bicentennial" Dames Club, February 1976

Folder 2: "The White Kid Glove Era" by Mrs. J.E. Engstad (Early Grand Forks History), Dames Club, February 1981

Folder 3: "Little Old Grand Forks" Franklin Club, October 1925

Folder 4: "UND History Programs" Franklin Club, October 1946 and February 1974, revised for Dames Club, November 1977

Folder 5: "Prince of Players: Edwin Booth" Franklin Club, February 1954

Folder 6: "What's Past is Prologue" review of Political Prairie Fire, Franklin Club, February 1967

Folder 7: P.E.O. Chapter D - anniversaries and membership lists, 1963-1978

Folder 8: "The Education of an American" P.E.O., April 1939

Folder 9: "The Houses of Tomorrow" P.E.O., February 1944

Folder 10: "How Our City Works" P.E.O., February 1951

Folder 11: "Golden Treasures" (Collecting), P.E.O. and Dames Club, 1962-1963

Folder 12: "Books in my Baggage" P.E.O. and Dames Club, 1965-1968

Folder 13: Writings of Robert Witmer - "The Amana Colony", Wranglers Club; "Waterfowl", Franklin Club, 1963; Address at dedication of Witmer Hall, 1969; The Department of Physics, 1970 program

Folder 14: "John S. Lundy" biography by Jean Witmer, August 1949

Folder 15: Biographical information, 1959-1979

Folder 16: Antiques and Collecting, 1962-1969

Folder 17: North Dakota Mills newspaper clippings, September 1969

Folder 18: Vilhjalmur Stefansson, 1962-1967

Folder 19: Belleek information, 1961-1986

Folder 20: Wild Rice information and newspaper clippings, 1981-1983

Folder 21: "A Reporter at Large: The Mountain of Names" (Genealogy), 1985

Folder 22: "The Magnificent Yankee" by Oliver Wendell Holmes, 1985

Folder 23: Pennsylvania Dutch, undated

Folder 24: Program ideas and materials, undated

Folder 25: Miscellaneous programs, undated

Folder 26: Information regarding publications within the collection

Folder 27: Correspondence and article - Life of Sir William Osler

Folder 28: Correspondence - John Silas Lundy-Witmer, 1958-1968

Folder 29: Magazine and newspaper articles - John Silas Lundy, 1958-1976

Folder 30: Paper - Life of Dr. Fred G. Lundy in Dakota Territory, 1931

Folder 31: Speeches by Lillian Witmer - John Lundy and Anesthesia (1956); Dr. James Grassick (1979); Dr. Fred G. Lundy of Dakota Territory (1979)

Folder 32: Book: Faith is Power for You by Daniel A. Poling

Folder 33: Correspondence - Example of letters for selection of the first UND president, 1884

Folder 34: Correspondence - selection of first UND president, 1884 (A-C)

Folder 35: Correspondence - selection of first UND president, 1884 (D-F)

Folder 36: Correspondence - selection of first UND president, 1884 (G-H)

Folder 37: Correspondence - selection of first UND president, 1884 (I-L)

Folder 38: Correspondence - selection of first UND president, 1884 (M-N)

Folder 39: Correspondence - selection of first UND president, 1884 (O-S)

Folder 40: Correspondence - selection of first UND president, 1884 (T-Z)

Folder 41: Correspondence - selection of first UND president, 1884 (unidentified)

Folder 42: List of potential first presidents of UND, 1884

Folder 43: Correspondence of Ludovic Estes, 1887-1894 and undated

Folder 44: Miscellaneous correspondence and petitions from students to UND administration, 1888-1905

Folder 45: Correspondence: R.M. Carothers (Board of Trustees), 1889-1890

Folder 46: Correspondence: J.G. Hamilton (State Auditor's Office)-Board of Trustees, 1889, regarding vouchers

Folder 47: Correspondence: J.D. Allen-C.C. Gowran, 1890, regarding the sale of biological specimens

Folder 48: Correspondence to Board of Trustees regarding secretary position, 1890

Folder 49: Correspondence: J.P. Bray (State Auditor)-W.N. Roach, 1890, regarding salaries

Folder 50: Correspondence: William Patten, 1890, 1893, undated

Folder 51: Correspondence to Board of Trustees from newly appointed faculty members, 1893

Folder 52: Correspondence: William Barrett-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding the planting of forestry on campus

Folder 53: Correspondence: A.F. Bechdolt-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding botany

Folder 54: Correspondence: Melvin Brannon -President Merrifield, 1893, regarding biology department

Folder 55: Correspondence: Alfred Dickey-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding biological specimens

Folder 56: Correspondence: William Harper-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding convocation exercises

Folder 57: Correspondence: Joseph Kennedy-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding faculty position and 1904, regarding convocation exercises

Folder 58: Correspondence: M.V.B. Knox-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding creation of an Academy of Sciences

Folder 59: Correspondence: Leon Rondiez-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding editorial in Grand Forks Plaindealer newspaper

Folder 60: Correspondence: George Rygh-W.G. Larimore, 1893, regarding position in Scandinavian Department

Folder 61: Correspondence: Jno. Staley to unknown at UND, 1893, regarding commencement exercises

Folder 62: Correspondence: George Thomas-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding position in the Greek and Latin Department

Folder 63: Correspondence: George Winship-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding coverage of UND in the Grand Forks Herald

Folder 64: Correspondence: H.B. Woodworth-President Merrifield, 1893, regarding faculty position in Psychology, Ethics and History

Folder 65: Correspondence regarding land holdings of UND, 1894 and 1906

Folder 66: Correspondence: G.S. Perrott-E.E. Parsons, 1894, regarding faculty position in Greek and Latin

Folder 67: Correspondence: Henry Bolley-President Merrifield, 1898, regarding teaching of botany and economics

Folder 68: Correspondence: E.M. Atwood-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding importance of Christianity

Folder 69: Correspondence: J.D. Bacon-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding North Dakota legislature

Folder 70: Correspondence: W.W. Bassett-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding appointment to meet with President Merrifield

Folder 71: Correspondence: B.F. Brockhoff-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding water certificates

Folder 72: Correspondence: Stephen Collins-E. Kelley, 1899, regarding shipment of coal

Folder 73: Correspondence: Herman Fisher-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding sermon of Professor Vernon Squires

Folder 74: Correspondence: C.H. Mallarian-President Merrifield, 1899, regarding visit to UND

Folder 75: Correspondence relating to UND and the railroad, 1899 and 1901

Folder 76: Correspondence: Joseph Rose-William Budge, 1899, regarding construction of sidewalks

Folder 77: Correspondence: M. Victor Staley and James Vorachek-President Merrifield, 1899, requesting employment at UND

Box 3

Folder 1: Bookmarks, 1850s-1987

Box 4

Folder 1: R.B. Witmer Scrapbook, 1918-1920

Folder 2: Lillian Leith Scrapbook, 1919-1923

Box 5

Folder 1: Wall hangings from Witmer household

Box 6

Folder 1: Correspondence: John Amort-President Merrifield, 1900, subject unclear

Folder 2: Correspondence to Board of Trustees regarding the planting of trees on campus, 1900

Folder 3: Correspondence: Dinnie Brothers' bid for Old Science Hall, 1900 or 1901

Folder 4: Correspondence: Robert Oliver-William Budge, 1900, regarding shipment of wood

Folder 5: Correspondence: Charles Elliott-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding vacant position in English Department

Folder 6: Correspondence: R. Ferguson-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding student travel arrangements

Folder 7: Correspondence: C. Gunnlogson-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding transfer credits

Folder 8: Correspondence: Charles Hamel-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding employment at UND

Folder 9: Correspondence: J.C. Jones-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding chair of English Department

Folder 10: Correspondence: A.A. Love-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding vacant faculty position

Folder 11: Correspondence: John Mahon-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding Cecil Mahon, a student at UND

Folder 12: Correspondence: Thomas Marshall-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding UND Postmaster

Folder 13: Correspondence: Arthur Miller-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding the need for a Presbyterian college in North Dakota

Folder 14: Correspondence: Samuel Radcliffe-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding mortgage on a house

Folder 15: Correspondence: Vernon Squires-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding Squires' move to Kalamazoo, Michigan

Folder 16: Correspondence: Vilhjalmur Stefansson-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding employment in the library

Folder 17: Correspondence: W.L. Stockwell-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding high school football in Grafton

Folder 18: Correspondence: H.G. Vick-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding chair of the Scandinavian Department

Folder 19: Correspondence: Frank White (North Dakota Governor)-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding speech at UND

Folder 20: Correspondence: J.H. Worst-President Merrifield, 1901, regarding salaries at North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University)

Folder 21: Correspondence to President Merrifield regarding Dr. A.G. Leonard, 1902-03

Folder 22: Correspondence: John Hancock-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding gift of student annual, the Dacotah, to a library in Tower City, North Dakota

Folder 23: Correspondence: Life and Letters Magazine-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding America's greatest social problem

Folder 24: Correspondence: Amos Alonzo Stagg-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding the application of Mr. Rex Kennedy

Folder 25: Correspondence: G.W. Stewart-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding laboratory facilities at UND

Folder 26: Correspondence: K.S. Thordarson-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding UND advertisements

Folder 27: Correspondence: Victor Wardrope-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding recruitment of football players

Folder 28: Correspondence: Frank Weed-President Merrifield, 1903, regarding Weed's grade in Algebra

Folder 29: Correspondence from alumni on occasion of the first Founder's Day at UND, 1904

Folder 30: Correspondence: Charles Amidon-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding appointment to visit with Merrifield

Folder 31: Correspondence: R.B. Bryan-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding UND accreditation

Folder 32: Correspondence to President Merrifield regarding convocation speaker, 1904

Folder 33: Correspondence: Durick and Co.-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding a check

Folder 34: Correspondence: G.E. Hult-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding Hult's visit to UND

Folder 35: Correspondence: W.L. Nuessle-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding a gift from Merrifield

Folder 36: Correspondence: Charles Templeton-President Merrifield, 1904, regarding salaries of domestic servants

Folder 37: Correspondence: George Bancroft-President Merrifield, 1905, theft of a lamp

Folder 38: Correspondence: David Boise-President Merrifield, 1905, regarding Budge's residency in Budge Hall

Folder 39: Correspondence: E.C. Carney-President Merrifield, 1905, regarding Merrifield's efforts to assist Carney in finding a job

Folder 40: Correspondence: George Johnson-President Merrifield, 1905, regarding a voucher

Folder 41: Correspondence: John Wood-Merrifield, 1905, regarding Wood's residency on campus

Folder 42: Correspondence: Andrew Drysdale-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding a course in Pharmacy

Folder 43: Correspondence: James Foley (ND Governor's Office)-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding the uniform divorce congress

Folder 44: Correspondence: Ella Fulton-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Kalamazoo (Michigan) College

Folder 45: Correspondence: A.J. Gronna-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding the metric system

Folder 46: Correspondence: Charles Hartwell-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding teacher education at UND

Folder 47: Correspondence: Lydia Hinman-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Merrifield's comments on Hinman's essay

Folder 48: Correspondence: Frank Hitchcock-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding UND and the Bachelor of Arts Degree

Folder 49: Correspondence: Jas. Jensen-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding invitation for students to visit the President's home

Folder 50: Correspondence: Leroy Jackson-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding letter of recommendation for a job

Folder 51: Correspondence: John Johnson and Henry Lykken-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding UND debate team

Folder 52: Correspondence: Louis Larson-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Merrifield's address at the dedication of the new high school in Minot

Folder 53: Correspondence: William Lemke-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Lemke's sister and UND

Folder 54: Correspondence: Mrs. H.H. Lykken-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Cora Lykken's absence from class

Folder 55: Correspondence: L.C. Lord-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding Lord's lecture at UND

Folder 56: Correspondence: Cameron Mann-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding a speech Merrifield was to give

Folder 57: Correspondence: L.L. Martineau-President Merrifield, 1906, Martineau's absence from class

Folder 58: Correspondence and interview with President Merrifield regarding Rhodes Scholarship, 1906

Folder 59: Correspondence: Gregor Schmid-President Merrifield, 1906, regarding status of Edward Schmid

Box 7

Folder 1: Correspondence: Charles Amidon- McVey, 1910, regarding Amidon’s attendance at McVey’s inauguration

Folder 2: Correspondence: C.G. Mead-N.C. Abbott, 1912, regarding lectures given by members of UND administration to the Commercial Club

Folder 3: Correspondence: Vernon Squires-President Kane, 1918-1929, regarding UND business

Folder 4: Correspondence: T.A. Anderson-President Kane, 1919, regarding student government in Davis Hall

Folder 5: Correspondence: William Bek-John C. West, 1932, regarding speech by West at UND

Folder 6: Correspondence: O.O. Burtness (North Dakota Representative in Washington, D.C.)-A.H. Yoder, 1932, regarding the postal service

Folder 7: Correspondence: Sveinbjorn Johnson-William Bek, 1932, regarding economic problems and controversy at UND

Folder 8: Correspondence: “Kane vs. Bek”, 1932, regarding rumors which stated that Bek wished to become UND President

Folder 9: Correspondence: William Bek-President West, 1933, regarding UND business

Folder 10: Correspondence: W.A. Sheaffer-President Kane, 1933, regarding possible scholarships at UND

Folder 11: Correspondence: William Bek-West, 1934, regarding UND business

Folder 12: Correspondence: Charles Burke-President West, 1934, regarding Burke’s academic credits

Folder 13: Correspondence: Glenn Cook-William Bek, 1934, regarding reorganization at North Dakota State College (now North Dakota State University)

Folder 14: Correspondence: William Bek-President West, 1935, regarding UND business

Folder 15: Correspondence: A. Hoyt Taylor-R.B. and Lillian Witmer, 1958, regarding gift of University of the Northern Plains by Louis Geiger

Folder 16: Correspondence: Lyla Hoffine-Lillian Witmer, 1971, regarding Hoffine’s novels

Folder 17: Correspondence from Ross and Lois Bloomquist, 1975 Christmas card letter

Folder 18: Correspondence: UND Board of Trustees-North Dakota Governor John Miller, undated, regarding salaries

Folder 19: Correspondence: E.C. Cooper-President Merrifield, undated, regarding Merrifield’s acceptance of appointment as President

Folder 20: Correspondence: Adelphi and A.D.T.-President Merrifield, undated, regarding Gansl debates

Folder 21: Correspondence: Board of Trustees-E.J. Babcock, undated, regarding School of Mines

Folder 22: Advisory Committee agenda, 1925

Folder 23: Interview between Dr. John Sweetland and M.A. Brannon regarding administration of intercollegiate athletics, undated

Folder 24: Board of Trustees Bylaws

Folder 25: Board of Trustees Meeting minutes, 1889

Folder 26: Board of Trustees report by President Merrifield, 1895

Folder 27: Board of Trustees undated memoranda

Folder 28: UND Catalog, 1884-1885 and UND Bulletin, 1910, 1916

Folder 29: College of Liberal Arts Administration, undated

Folder 30: Dormitory rules, undated

Folder 31: UND Enrollment Figures, 1884-1903, 1922

Folder 32: UND Financial Information, 1884-1926

Folder 33: Miscellaneous documents relating to students

Folder 34: Miscellaneous university business

Folder 35: Miscellaneous university business

Folder 36: Program: “Dear John Night,” honoring John E. Howard, UND Band Director, 1959

Folder 37: UND promotional materials, undated

Folder 38: Transcript of radio broadcast of Joseph Kennedy to UND Alumni, 1930

Folder 39: Report of Grand Forks City Council Meeting, 3 March 1890

Folder 40: Committee on Residence Hall Furnishings report, 1917

Folder 41: “Views of the Heads of Departments, College of Liberal Arts and School of Education,” 1925

Folder 42: “Report of Sub-Committee on Regulation of Off-Campus Trips Taken by University Groups and Organizations,” 1934

Folder 43: “For the Assistance and Instruction of Campus Sisters and Brothers,” undated

Folder 44: Reproductions of UND presidents Sprague, Merrifield, McVey, and Kane

Folder 45: Speech, 1904

Folder 46: News release regarding UND and Wesley College, undated

Box 8

Folder 1: The Dacotah, 1923 (Lillian Witmer's personal copy)

Folder 2: "Memoirs of My Four Years in College," by Lillian Witmer, 1925

Folder 3: Sigma Nu Dance Cards, 1926, 1927, 1929

Folder 4: Funeral Program, Obituary, Newspaper Column, September 1993

Oversize Folder :

Oversize Folder 1: The Harpoon, 1925; The Co-Ed, March 1921 and May 1922

Oversize Folder 2: UND graduating class of 1922

Oversize Folder 3: Photographs

Photograph 1: Synergoi Chapter (UND Fraternity That Eventually Became Sigma Nu), circa 1921

R.B. Witmer in the top right on the far left

Photograph 2: Alpha Phi, Pi Chapter, 1922-23

Lillian Leith in the bottom row, fourth from the right

Photographs :

Photograph 1: Larimore, ND at the "Phillips" corner

Photograph 2: Lillian Leith, 1919 or 1920

Photograph 3: Lillian Leith and Nell M. Lunding, 1921

Photograph 4: Robert Bonner Witmer, 1922

Photograph 5: Lillian Leith, UND graduate, 1923

Photograph 6: Lillian Leith at UND apartments, 1927-1928

Photograph 7: Lillian Leith Witmer, 1929

Photograph 8: Robert Bonner Witmer, 1940

Photograph 9: Robert Bonner Witmer, March 1929

Photograph 10: Robert Bonner Witmer, 1950

Photograph 11: Lillian Leith Witmer, April 1950

Photograph 12: Robert Bonner Witmer, 1953

Photograph 13: Robert Bonner Witmer, 1960

Photograph 14: Lillian and Robert Witmer at their home, June 1970

Photograph 15: Lillian Leith Witmer in her home, October 1970

Photograph 16: Edith Freeman Thompson, Margaret Libby Barr and Lillian Leith Witmer at Grand Forks Historical Society, December 1974

Photograph 17: Lillian Leith Witmer and Dr. Vernon Keel, 1989

Photograph 18: Helen and Marion Phillips and Lillian Leith at Stump Lake, ND, July 1925

Photograph 19: Larimore High School graduating class, 1919

Photograph 20: Jo Ann Lundy, 1949

Photograph 21: Jo Ann Lundy, 1949